liberated spaceshttps://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com
make room for what mattersSun, 08 Feb 2015 04:07:35 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://secure.gravatar.com/blavatar/856704806921b8194833a88d8262362c?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.pngliberated spaceshttps://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com
A donation for a favorhttps://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2014/12/26/donating-to-nonprofits/
https://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2014/12/26/donating-to-nonprofits/#commentsFri, 26 Dec 2014 18:54:01 +0000http://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/?p=5157]]>“Paper is a big challenge. The mailman always brings more.” I hear some version of that sentiment quite often. Even after they have gone through the process of opting out of credit card and insurance offers, a large percentage of my clients struggle with an influx of unsolicited mail. Envelopes filled with pre-printed return address labels, bundles of cheesy seasonal cards, calendars, and the occasional random penny or nickel, yield slippery piles of unruly papers. And all the senders of these “gifts,” invitations, and pleas want is a donation for their good cause. Ninety-some-odd percent of the time, their attempts result in generous contributions to recycling bins and short-lasting relief on the faces of these clients.

Mind you, I’m all for good causes. I spent many years working in the nonprofit educational realm – art and natural history museums in NYC and San Francisco – and volunteer in my spare time. Nonprofits depend on the support of individual donors, and I’m happy to contribute to their betterment of our world and ways each year. But I had a lapse recently when, for the first time ever, I became a museum member. (One of the great benefits of museum employment was free museum entry at any reciprocating institution. I miss that.)

Weeks after my membership welcome arrived in the mail, so too did a solicitation from another museum. Oh dammit. That’s right. Nonprofits sell our information to other nonprofits, and in my case, the unsolicited mail cycle was resuscitated. I stopped that train mid-track by phoning both organizations to ask that my name be removed from all mailing lists and to request they do not sell or distribute my information. The unwanted mail ceased.

As we find ourselves in the midst of the season of giving, sharing, and storytelling, my hope is this little tale can contribute to the betterment of your desk, entryway, dining room table and/or countertop as the new year begins.

It is extremely rare to find a “donate” page on a nonprofit’s website that provides a box for you to specify if your donation is in honor of someone/s, write a note or message to the organization, and/or allow you to opt out of being added to their mailing list. So here’s what I do. I resort to a tried and true approach and mail a check with a letter. The basic version goes something like this:

To whom it may concern,

Enclosed please find my donation to [awesome nonprofit]. I am happy to donate because of the meaningful and vital work you do.

In exchange, I wish to ask the following: Please do not add me to your mailing lists or sell my information. I hope you will honor my desire to provide support without being inundated by mail that I do not wish to receive. My mailbox is on a diet : )

Sincerely,

P.S. Perhaps you’ll consider adding a box to the main donation form page on your website for donors like myself to donate quickly while providing us with an opt out option at the same time. I bet it could help save you time and resources in the future.

Less paper to manage yields more time for things that matter. Think of all the things you can do if you minimize your time shuffling unwanted mail.

Behold the mighty old school label maker! I found this little red beauty while helping a senior client organize a bookcase filled with office supply treats. Asking the usual questions when such a unique artifact appears, I learned that she neither uses it nor has tape for it, but she likes knowing it’s there just in case.

The more high-tech versions of these devices have been and continue to be the topic of many conversations with colleagues and clients alike. For many, the label maker is a staple in their daily work/life diet and the thought of being without one is unimaginable. Others, like myself and my fella environmentally conscious organizer colleague, Miriam Ortiz y Pino, CPO®, of More Than Organized in Albuquerque, NM, have a different perspective. We combined forces and wrote an article, “Unexpected thoughts on the label maker,” for NAPO News, the bimonthly publication of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). It was published in the September/October 2014 issue, and is republished here by permission.

Unexpected thoughts on the label maker
One of the most commented on threads on The Point, and one of the most frequently asked questions of veteran organizers is “What kind of label maker do you use?” It’s one of the most ubiquitous tools in an organizer’s workbag, and when one sets out in this line of work, a trip to the office supply store to explore all the options is a common right of passage.

It’s important to start by asking yourself why you need a label maker and what its role will be role in your organizing practice. Consider applying the same decision-making criteria used when helping clients on yourself. Perhaps, it’s so you can…

Make consistent and legible labels because your handwriting is hard to read.

Help clients designate space for items to live.

Communicate to many people where items belong.

Create an aesthetically pleasing and uniform environment and thus make it more enjoyable to use the thing/s being labeled.

Add a flair of professionalism to dazzle your clients.

But now, consider the fact that you will not find a label maker in either of our work bags. We discovered this commonality during one of the monthly meetings of the Environmentally Conscious Organizers (ECO) SIG. We know we’re not alone and thought we’d shed light, discoveries, and perspectives on this anomaly in the organizing community.

Miriam’s story
When I started my business in 2000, I purchased the seemingly required label maker with only a slight pause. I thought that even though I would never use it for myself – I practice voluntary simplicity and have excellent handwriting – it would be a nice finishing touch for my clients.

The first experiment with it resulted in running out of tape. Twice. And since this was before scored backing was an option, it took twice as long to peel the backing off as it did to type the label itself. I left that project feeling less than competent or professional.

The second time I needed to use my label maker the batteries were dead. So were the back up batteries I had been carrying around.

For the third time, I set the clients expectations by saying, “I can label these for you, but it takes awhile. You could do it yourself with the label maker we found under the desk, or I can quickly label as we go with my Sharpie®. I have studied architectural lettering and my writing is quite legible.”

I have not used my machine a day since and have identified at least six benefits of not using a label maker.

It gives me a funny bonding experience to share with clients.

I make fewer trips to the store.

I need fewer batteries.

Less plastic in the landfill. (What is up with that childproof packaging on the tape?)

It is faster and easier to create the label.

It is easier to read the labels.

Oh, and there’s a seventh benefit: I’ve freed up space in my office, because I just put the label maker in the donation box to be donated!

Deb’s story
Shortly after starting my business, I set out to buy a label maker. My pre-ECO eco-sensibility could not get past the single-use packaging and cartridges that were inherent with these devices, so I reevaluated if this was something I really needed. Turning a couple of options around in my hands, I made a decision and left the store empty-handed. Seven years later, I have nary a regret, but that’s not to say my work life is label maker-free.

Numerous opportunities to type, peel and adhere arise on the occasional jobs where I have been asked to use a label maker belonging to a client or an organizer I’m assisting. I have observed that if a client likes having uniformly printed labels on folders and containers, they already own a label maker and delight in using it. In the course of writing this article, I worked with a new client who asked me to bring a label maker because she didn’t own one. I borrowed one from a colleague. Yes, it can be that easy.

I’ve also noticed when clients engage in the physical act of writing their own labels, they tend to be more invested in the act of ownership of the process while gaining a sense of accomplishment. And as Miriam mentioned, penmanship comes up time and again. I’m always willing to write labels on a client’s behalf. Years later, they tell me how much they love seeing and using files that don my handwriting.

I believe that owning a label maker at this point in my career would occupy too much mental and physical space. Living in an old Victorian (built in 1887) – an architectural style not known for generous closets – has led me to make a choice: I work and live with less.

As environmentally-conscious organizers, we encourage owning and using tools that serve your individual needs and values. Make choices that are in alignment with what’s true to and for you and your practice.The label maker is but one of many decisions we make as business owners. When was the last time you assessed your toolkit? Is everything in there still relevant?

]]>https://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2014/09/25/unexpected-thoughts-on-the-label-maker/feed/3liberatedspacesOld school Dymo label makerGiving things away by passing them alonghttps://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2014/06/16/giving-things-away-by-passing-them-along/
https://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2014/06/16/giving-things-away-by-passing-them-along/#commentsMon, 16 Jun 2014 18:54:44 +0000http://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/?p=5078]]>My great aunt took great joy in giving possessions away during the latter years of her life. I recall one afternoon when she told me she’d had “a talk” with her long-deceased mother-in-law, and that they agreed it was time for the old German chair – a bit of a family heirloom I long admired – to go home with me. She insisted it leave that very day, despite my uncertainty as to whether it would fit in the backseat of the car. (It did.)

She loved knowing the chair had a new home and would frequently ask about it. The chair continues to make me smile, and it gets used every day. But this story isn’t about the chair.

When she passed away I acquired a handful of meaningful items I continue to enjoy. The smallest of these was a tiny silver violinist.

During the years I visited and sipped many cups of tea with my aunt, this little guy and his instrument sat behind me atop the mid-century modern buffet and china cabinet. To me, this was the material manifestation of the proverbial sad song on the world’s tiniest violin. (You know it: the song you mime by rubbing your thumb and forefinger together while making a faux sad face as a friend tells you a story that is far from pitiful.) But I also found it to be quietly uplifting and inspiring. My great aunt and her husband were fans of classical music and loved attending the symphony. Her father (a.k.a. my great grandfather) was a violin teacher.

Up until a few weeks ago, the figurine lived on a ledge above my desk, fiddling a tune for an equally diminutive dancing Ganesh. When I was presented with an invitation to a dear friend’s middle school graduation party, it took no time for me to ponder and determine the perfect gift. A passionate and dedicated violinist since her single digit years, I had a hunch she’d appreciate the story attached to this slightly tarnished fellow. It’s better than anything I ever could have found in a store. Passing along this little token from my biological family to someone who is part of my chosen family felt like the right thing to do. After opening it, she decided it needed to live on top of the piano.

Thank you so much for the tiny violinist! It’s very motivating and it will definitely be a good reminder to practice the violin, in addition to the piano.

Did I mention my great aunt played the piano, too?

]]>https://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2014/06/16/giving-things-away-by-passing-them-along/feed/15liberatedspacestiny violinistEarth Day Special: On Environmentally-Conscious Organizinghttps://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/earth-day-special-on-environmentally-conscious-organizing/
https://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/earth-day-special-on-environmentally-conscious-organizing/#commentsTue, 22 Apr 2014 22:29:47 +0000http://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/?p=5059]]>A famous amphibial puppet speaking of the color of his felt famously sang, “It’s not easy bein’ green; It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things.” “Green” has seeped into so many things – far too many – that the word has been overused to the point of being meaningless. This is precisely why, two years ago, a group of professional organizers decided to redefine their specialty from green organizing to the more ecologically- and holistically-infused environmentally-conscious organizing.

Steeped in the traditions of voluntary simplicity and sustainable living, this work stems from the values and ethics associated with helping others adapt simple lifestyle changes that support them wherever they are on the environmentally-conscious path. It’s about building awareness and engaging in dialogues to guide clients to a place where they can observe and effect change in the choices they are making each and every day.

Most of us are already working to reduce, reuse and recycle whenever possible, and environmentally-conscious organizers encourage these practices and more. What will create more impactful and lasting change is exceeding these foundational R’s and allowing ourselves to go deeper.

Take, for example, the multi-faceted practice of reducing. Choosing the path of less packaging, reduces the need to recycle or throw away resources. This is especially powerful when you consider that 25% of landfill contents in the U.S. is product packaging. By reducing consumption of single-use disposable plastics (i.e. packaged and bottled water), we reduce the need for more fossil fuels while reducing the risk to ecosystems from oil drilling and transport of these resources. Reducing the need to store cases of plastic bottles creates more physical space while having the added health benefit of reducing your family’s exposure to bisphenol-A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor found in certain plastics. The effects of our choices can be cascading.

When we begin to make time and allow ourselves to rethink our choices, refuse what we don’t need, repair what needs fixing, and let food waste rot into nutritious compost, we’re moving closer to what’s most important in our lives. That’s often the end goal of organizing for many of our clients: creating the time and space to do what matters most.

Each of us has the power, through small acts each day, to make ripples of change in the places where we will see and feel those shifts most directly – in our homes and communities. As Kendra Pierre-Louis wrote in her book, Green Washed, Why We Can’t Buy Our Way to a Green Planet, “…consciousness is a starting point, not an end point.” As we stand on the precipice of Earth Day 2014 (April 22), where are you going to start? Hint: It takes one small step.

]]>https://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/earth-day-special-on-environmentally-conscious-organizing/feed/0liberatedspacesself-portrait with compost, recycle, trash signsat solar living instituteI walked how far for a jalapeño?https://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/i-walked-how-far-for-a-jalapeno/
https://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/i-walked-how-far-for-a-jalapeno/#commentsWed, 12 Feb 2014 21:16:35 +0000http://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/?p=4916]]>“Oh darn,” I remember saying out loud as I stood before the cutting board while the sharp aroma of freshly grated horseradish and ginger danced in the air. I was preparing a batch of fire cider, when I realized an ingredient was missing: the jalapeño pepper.

After getting everything else chopped, zested, squeezed and assembled in the jar, I set out for the store. There’s a little corner market of great convenience a block away, but I opted for a grocery destination that’s a bit further afield.

Because the co-op where we do the majority of our grocery shopping doesn’t stock all the basics – like sustainably raised meats (the co-op has no meat unless you want pet food) and breads from a favorite bakery that no other retailer carries – it’s not uncommon for me to swing by this particular neighborhood market on a somewhat regular basis. The walk over the hill, down the other side, and back again has become part of the weekly grocery ritual and easily happens more than once or twice a week. The sidewalks on my route are practically empty and that makes it the preferred option over the very flat and far less strenuous alternative along a busy retail corridor just one block away.

On this particular morning, I decided there was no time like the present to squeeze in a morning constitutional while also getting a necessary errand off the list. I admired the changing light of the season and the way it highlighted features and details of the historic Victorians along the way. Blooming flowers in the trees overhead begged passersby like myself for a little nod to their beauty. (Remember, I live in San Francisco and plants are blooming year-round.) At the market I chose a little pepper, paid with exact change (I love when that happens!), slipped said pepper in my pocket, and headed back home.

By the time I unlocked the front door, I had logged 1.6 miles. To some, it may seem absurd to walk so far and take so much time for one little thing. But you know what? This is my kind of multitasking. How often does grocery shopping truly invigorate your body and soul?

More than four weeks after the fact, I can tell you that the results are most invigorating. We are sipping and breathing fire over here!

When the holiday freneticism is unavoidable at every turn, there’s something wonderfully delightful and perhaps a little bit deviant about choosing to swim against the mainstream current. I actually manage to avoid stress and languishing in long lines, all while fully embracing the season’s spirit of generosity on my own terms.

I’ve never understood why, as a society, we collectively wait to the last minute – or in this case, the last month of the year – to squeeze in all the big-heartedness and giving we possibly can that could have been applied liberally throughout the previous eleven months of the year.

And so it was many Decembers ago that I stumbled upon a way to create my own tradition and reclaim this month as an occasion to focus on what matters most to me: the gift of connection. Connections are those tangible intangible non-thingie things that are impossible to package in a box covered with fancy wrapping, bobbles and ribbons. Among my favorites are sharing a home-cooked meal with friends, getting lost in an engaging story, taking a new path on an afternoon walk, and making time to let my creativity run wild. Regardless of how hard they try, retailers cannot sell connection. But boy, do they try.

Every single day we are met with opportunities to make choices: from the people we invite into our lives, to the clothes we put on our backs, to the music that entertains us while we clean the house (that’s not just me, right?). For many of us, shelves and closets and cupboards are bedecked with connections from the wide array of people, experiences and transitions we’ve accumulated. And what better time than now, the end of the year – a prelude to the new one – is as perfect a time as any to hit the proverbial reset button and reassess and connect with what is meaningful in our lives. Where to start? Right where you are and where you want to be.

Connect with your goals and desires
The satisfaction we get from making a conscious choice to take the time to make room for what matters often clears the way for a variety of mores to enter our lives: more inspiration, more prosperity, more time, more productivity, more direction, more fun, and more control.

What do you want to achieve or change? What’s the first step? When we’re true to what we really want and begin make space for it, we connect more deeply to what motivates and excites us. Ultimately, this leads to more authentic connections with those around us.

Connect with what has meaning
Look around you. What is there for the sake of having it? Is there something that keeps getting shoved out of the way, that’s blocking the path to something more significant, useful, essential or practical? Does whatever it is serve you in the here and now and allow you to connect with a meaningful moment and time of your life? Decide if it needs to live somewhere else, or if you really need it.

When our surroundings energize and inspire us, we are honoring what’s important from the inside out.

Connect what you wish to set free with those who can benefit from them
When you’re empowered with the fact that others can and will directly benefit from what you no longer wish to keep it’s easier to let go and allow yourself to move forward.

Even before aspirations such as San Francisco’s goal of zero waste by 2020, a wide array of nonprofit and alternative community outlets have existed to enable us to divest of our things responsibly and keep them in useful circulation. We are so fortunate in the Bay Area with the many opportunities we can provide for others to connect more deeply in their lives and pursuits.

Locally, we’ve got SF Goodwill’s annual December 31st Donate-a-thon which provides a chance to carve out a little time to make connections. If you participate in Goodwill’s Donate-a-thon, by simply donating and creating more space in your life, you will be entered in a raffle to win a home organizing assessment with yours truly. How cool is that? Your generosity will lead to one form of liberated spaces or another. And just remember, it’s not something you can find on the shelf of a store!

Just over a month ago, I was invited by Goodwill of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin counties to write a blog post containing some of my views and reflections on what this end time of year is all about. That’s what you’ve got above. The original post and details of the raffle can be found here.

They quietly enter our homes by way of auctions, thank yous, prizes, presents, the mail, and even purchases. Infused with good intentions and the hopes of putting them to use sooner than later, gift cards, gift certificates, store credits, coupons, and promotional cards often wind up sitting around longer than we ever intend.

Between my own house and those of my clients, I’ve encountered small collections of these papers, plastic cards, and torn- and cut-out coupons languishing in baskets, stuffed into folders, magnetized to the refrigerator, shoved in overburdened handbags, tucked into jacket pockets, lost in piles ‘important’ papers, lost in piles of things to sort, stuffed into bags of mail, and waiting in the foyer.

All too often, when a client comes upon that “put away for safe-keeping” stash of redeemables, there are joyous yelps of glee interspersed with moans of regret. Finding what was temporarily misplaced or forgot about is like winning a little prize. On the flip side, it’s always a bummer when a gift card or coupon has expired or a spa has shuttered its doors for good.

So how to avoid redeeming regrets? Here are some strategies, guidelines, and real-life examples to help you get started:

Know what you have.
Gather up and sort your collection. Eliminate anything that’s expired or (and be honest with yourself) that won’t be used. For the latter, ask a friend if they can use it or pass it along to the recycling bin. Heck, it’s even okay to re-gift a gift card that’s not up your alley, so add it to your collection of outbound gifts. (And yes, I just used the word “gift” three times in a sentence.)

Store them where you’re most inclined to grab and use them.
Keep grocery store gift cards and coupons with your grocery list-in-progress. When you head to the store, you’ll have all you need. (And remember your reusable shopping bags!)

What to do about those promo cards of the “buy so many and get one free” variety? Keep up to three of the most frequently used promo cards in your wallet so they’re with you when you need them most. The minimalist that I am, I try to carry just one: a buy 10 get one free sandwich card for a local market that I swing by when my schedule doesn’t allow me to hunt and gather lunch fixings in advance.

And those Bed, Bath & Beyond coupons that keep showing up and never expire? If you’ve got a car, keep them in the door pocket so they’re with you when you drive to the store. If you don’t have a car, consider keeping a handful with your grocery coupons and shopping list.

Some stores that offer “membership” or discount cards don’t require you to show the store-issued card whenever you make a purchase. By giving your name or phone number, the cashier can access your account, so leave those cards at home or do what I do: destroy and recycle them to avoid unnecessary clutter!

And what about cards you’ll seldom use? At least once a year, someone gives me a gift card for Starbucks. In the San Francisco Bay Area, independent cafes abound, so it’s fairly easy to find a good cup of tea when I’m out and about and craving a warm beverage. Those Starbucks cards get stored in the outer pocket of my carry-on luggage, and I whittle them down in airports or cafe-deficient cities and towns where the ubiquitous emerald green mermaid can almost always be found.

Use it as soon as you get it.
Seriously, the longer you wait to use a gift certificate, it’s out of sight and out of mind. Earlier this year, I donated a photographic portrait session to a fundraiser/auction for one of my favorite nonprofits. The woman who won my services got in touch two months later saying, “Sorry it has taken me so long to get in touch with you.” I applauded the fact that she got in touch so quickly and that what she purchased was meaningful enough for her to avoid delay!

Make it intuitive…for you.Each of us has to find the ways and systems that work for our respective spaces, lives, lifestyles, and visual sensitivities. If things get pinned to a bulletin board or affixed to the fridge and never budge, it’s time to try something news. Play. Experiment. Trial and error often gets you where you need to be.

Use what you’ve got before further accumulation begins.
Because waiting for “the right time” to do something can have you waiting an eternity, put a tickler in your calendar to remind you to make an appointment for that massage you’ve been meaning to redeem.

You can start now. If this incoming festive time of year increases your stress level, delay no more and strategically schedule that aforementioned massage. If you’re planning to do a lot of cooking or entertaining, those coupons and grocery store gift cards can take an edge off your financial outlay.

Chances are your collection of redeemables will grow this holiday season as the increasingly popular and sensible “give the gift of experiences” gains popularity as an alternative to giving stuff. I’m all for experiences, so let’s make sure you get to use and enjoy them!

***I’d love to hear about your tricks and tips for keeping redeemables at your fingertips. What works best for you?***

]]>https://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2013/11/17/organizing-gift-cards/feed/4liberatedspacesgiftcards_insta72Consuming with eyes wide openhttps://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2013/07/07/consuming-with-eyes-wide-open/
https://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2013/07/07/consuming-with-eyes-wide-open/#commentsSun, 07 Jul 2013 21:57:57 +0000http://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/?p=4747]]>An internal dance of joy leapt within me when I read the following line in Green Washed: Why We Can’t Buy Our Way to a Green Planet by Kendra Pierre-Louis:

While we need to be more conscious about what and how much we choose to consume, that consciousness is a starting point, not an end point.

This quote was the perfect finale for my presentation on a panel about environmentally conscious organizing at this year’s NAPO2013 conference. I was thrilled to be one of three ECO organizers speaking on a topic so near and dear but more so about spreading ideas that I hope will help create ripples of awareness and change in an industry of individuals who routinely find themselves on the front lines of communicating with people about stuff and the choices we make as consumers.

My talk focused on conscious consumption and addressed how we can begin to make more mindful decisions because our choices and habits as consumers ultimately affect our actions when we’re standing in front of our trash and recycling bins. I identified and spoke about the following six practices that can help all of us begin to slow down and think before we buy. Of course, this is specifically targeted to those moments when we “have to” buy, and that’s a whole other discussion for another time!

BE WILLING TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE
For a majority of consumers who want to make the healthiest choice for themselves and their families, it’s important to learn how to read between the lines and begin to understand what the descriptions on product labels and websites are really telling you.

For example, did you know the terms environmentally safe, green, eco-friendly & natural have been so overused and diluted that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) considers them to be too vague to be meaningful? So what’s a consumer to do?

Keep an eye out for environmentally nutritious words like post-consumer content, biodegradable, chlorine-free, formaldehyde-free, organic, and compostable for which the FTC has rules and regulations that govern what they mean. Start learning what they really mean.

Begin to understand what ecolabels are telling you. Ecolabels are logos that rather than representing a corporate entity, convey information about how responsibly things are made, the social or environmental impacts of a company or product, corporate transparency and accountability, a product’s life-cycle, and even how something should be disposed of.

If you’re new to this, trust me when I say there’s going to come a time when ecolabels plus an mix of those eco-happy words will be more meaningful to you than the brand names of the products you’re buying!

BE AWARE OF GREENWASHING
Very simply put, greenwashing is the marketing spin or veneer that makes a company or product seem environmentally concerned. As consumer demands for “greener” products has increased, unfortunately, too, so has the practice of greenwashing.

When it comes to greenwashing, my rules of thumb are to watch for excessive use of the word “green” (and the other words that are unregulated by the FTC) and the absence of proof of claims on a company’s website or a product’s label.

One of my favorite examples of greenwashing is a product that tries to tell me, the consumer, to “be green” when the product itself isn’t.

Eco not-so-fun fact: Did you know that 30 million plastic bottles end up in landfill each day and that only 5% are recycled in the US? Yep, that includes even the alleged greener ones!

LET YOUR INNER SKEPTIC GUIDE YOU
You’re probably wondering how on earth, with all the greenwashing and overabundance of choices, can one find truly good and sustainably created or sourced products. I’m the first to admit that it can be challenging, and when in doubt, or when something sounds too good to be true, I encourage you to let your inner skeptic do some research and ask questions.

A true story: When I first heard about DITTO Hangers, I visited the company’s website with lots of skepticism leading the way.

I clicked from page to page to page devouring all the content while looking for vagueness and questionable information. Instead, I was met with a venue loaded with information and environmentally appropriate and convincing language that dissipated any question of the product’s environmental authenticity. I was so impressed, I wanted to obtain samples for a talk. A brief email to the company (conveniently located just across the San Francisco Bay in Oakland, CA) led to a response from and a meeting with Gary Barker, Ditto’s CEO, and my wish was granted.

CHOOSE THE PATH OF LESS PACKAGING
This is where things can get a little radical and mindfulness is paramount. Whenever you possibly can, choose items that do not come with packaging or if they do have packaging, choose those with packaging that can and will (ahem) be placed in your local recycling stream. By reusing your own containers when purchasing grains, beans, herbs, olive oil, peanut butter and even chocolate chips from a well-stocked bulk section of a grocery store, you bypass unnecessary packaging that will ultimately become some form of waste.

It even works for office supplies, if you can find a store that sells items individually without packaging…

When you do have to purchase packaging along with the thing, I encourage you to focus on choosing products where the packaging can and will go into the recycling stream as this keeps valuable resources in the economy. One example: the plastic-free boxes of pencils at the bottom of the photo above.

Another eco not-so-fun fact: Did you know that approximately twenty-five percent of landfill content in the U.S. is product packaging?

CHOOSE QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Learning to “just say NO” and resist buying more because it’s cheaper is a lesson in restraint. More is often overwhelming and creates waste, storage challenges, and clutter which then triggers the desire to buy more to make it right. It can be a vicious cycle.

In many instances, the less you have, the easier it is to manage. How to do this? Acquire only what you need. Choose quality items – those that are timeless and versatile, have longevity and reduce the need to be replaced with frequency, and can easily be repaired – over the quantity of items.

CONTINUE TO PRACTICE AND TO EDUCATE YOURSELF
Learning anything new takes time, and with time, you will begin to make better choices. None of us can be perfect from step one. It’s unrealistic. Start with what works for you. Where are you most curious? Where can you dip your toe to begin making one change of practice to see what it feels and looks like? Chances are it will be a little uncomfortable at first, but as is the case with anything new, you’ll get used to it.

In a marketplace filled with too many choices your choices get narrowed down right away when you start consuming with a greater consciousness and attention to detail. What you’ll find that all these practices add up to a classic case of “less is more.”

End note: No single-use plastic water bottles were purchased in the production of this post.

]]>https://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2013/07/07/consuming-with-eyes-wide-open/feed/1liberatedspacesFTC_unregulatedFTC_regulatedplasticbottletext72ditto in usejarsoffood2cr_smloosepencils72Airing my trash on PBS NewsHourhttps://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/airing-my-trash-on-pbs-newshour/
https://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/airing-my-trash-on-pbs-newshour/#commentsWed, 13 Feb 2013 18:46:50 +0000http://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/?p=4633]]>Of all the things to get me excited, who knew the prospect of talking about my trash on national television would be one of them? Early last month, a crew from the PBS Newshour came to the house to interview Sven and me about residential composting for a story they were producing about San Francisco’s journey toward zero waste. Sven wrote about the happening, its genesis, and more in a most read-worthy blog post, Talking trash with PBS NewsHour.

Five adults and a large TV camera on a tripod in a 10×12′ kitchen was nothing short of cozy. Scrambling eggs and making breakfast while said camera (off tripod) and cameraman followed us around the kitchen was strange and amusing, but I have to say the most anxiety-inducing aspect to this whole experience came a few weeks later when we got the call notifying us the story, San Francisco on Track to Become Zero Waste City, would be airing that very afternoon. We wondered if our reflections about how simple and normal it is to participate in the city’s municipal composting program would make the final cut.

Well over an hour of filming was edited to 55 seconds (far more than we ever imagined) of airtime and soundbites. My line about putting Qtips* in the compost and Sven’s comment about his inability to toss an apple core in the trash when there’s no compost bin in sight have generated some awesome conversations both on- and offline. What was it about these two nuggets of revealing insight? They show how awareness and shifts in thinking can impact reflexive behaviors and habits.

Adhering to San Francisco’s Mandatory Recycling and Composting Ordinance has enabled us to reduce our landfill-destined waste to almost none. It’s affected our choices of what we buy (nearly all purchases are daily essentials) and how we buy it (with no or as little packaging as possible). This was most clearly illustrated in the lingering shot our compost/recycling/trash zone received.

Allow me to make introductions: Compost, the most frequently used and emptied receptacle, is on the left. The recycling container is the largest bin in the system. San Francisco’s single stream recycling allows us to collect all paper, glass, metal, and approved plastics in one container. Trash is often a landfill-destined crunchy plastic bag that’s attached to the side of the recycling container with a binder clip. The day the NewsHour crew came to visit, the trash bag was a Newman’s Own pretzel bag. Other weeks it might be a cereal box insert or a paper bag that a loaf of freshly-baked bread came in. It can take us two weeks or more to fill the “trash.” The milk cartons and takeout container have been rinsed and are waiting their turn to be filled with compostables. The lower shelf holds a ceramic planter that we use for collecting wine corks and spent batteries (mostly batteries from client’s homes that I empty from my work bag). These can be recycled at the local grocery co-op, a destination one or the other of us visits each week. And finally, the multi-purpose dishpan is where future trash and compost bags reside until called for duty. When needed, the very same dishpan is used for hand washing delicates or large stacks of dishes. Everything pictured above is a reuse of items we each purchased or acquired at least ten years ago and used for other other purposes.

Establishing a kitchen compost/recycling/trash zone is different for each and every household. Assessing available space and how you move through it, your aesthetics, lifestyle, and what your municipality requires all contribute to the choices to be made. It took us a few tries, over a couple of years, to perfect this setup. Lidless receptacles eliminate extra steps and effort, but they are not for everyone. We realize going lidless is a luxury in a pet- and toddler-free household. Because we regularly cook from scratch, food scraps add up quickly and force us to empty the compost bin a couple times a week. As such, even after a couple of days, the compost doesn’t smell. When there’s a risk that it might, a little sprinkle of baking soda will neutralize the possibility. During these winter months, orange and lemon peels do the trick!

Since the NewsHour story aired, Sven and I have found ourselves talking trash with friends and colleagues on the sidewalk, at parties, and in restaurants and stores. Some have come to us with composting and disposal confessions, while others have declared new shopping and disposal aspirations: several people will stop buying trash bags and others declared have a personal challenge to reduce their actual trash to match ours.

We knew compost was nutrient-rich, but what a surprise to discover that talking about it could nourish our community and beyond in so many ways.

]]>https://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/airing-my-trash-on-pbs-newshour/feed/1liberatedspacesnewshour_kitchenresidential compost and recyclingnewshour_deb72newshoursven72The cat ate my blog posthttps://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2012/12/21/the-cat-ate-my-blog-post/
https://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/2012/12/21/the-cat-ate-my-blog-post/#commentsSat, 22 Dec 2012 00:35:13 +0000http://liberatedspaces.wordpress.com/?p=4480]]>I couldn’t believe it either. I had no idea a cat could eat a blog post. But she did. I hope you realize this is possible only at that delicate intersection where the cyberworld meets the analog world and where the waiting-in-a-pile-on-my-desk-to-be-filed paper world meets the filed paper world.

I’m terribly allergic to cats, so I cannot take credit for having a feline who enjoys some 100% recycled post-consumer paper content in her life. If I could claim to have any influence on a cat, I suppose that introducing it to sustainable paper would be an excellent, albeit unusual, place to start.

Obviously, Stretchy the cat had good taste. She chose the pages that were about the magnificent Christmas shoe tree that stands on of her back porch this time of year.

Stretchy lived downstairs and was one of my landlady’s two kooky felines. (All cats are kooky, right?) I learned that Stretchy liked eating paper during the same conversation in which said landlady asked me for a new printout of the blog post for her archive. I never thought to ask how selective she was and if bank statements, greeting cards, or gas bills were ever victims of her nibbling ways. Did she liked the taste of photographs or the glue of postage stamps, too? Maybe she had a thing for little shoes, and she pined (tee hee) for the return of the holidays when the collection would come out for her to admire. Maybe she tried on the shoes when no one was looking to see what all the fuss was about.

The little shoes are epic and their numbers vast. When Sven and I were in Germany this fall, we brought home what we thought would be a nice addition to the holiday collection. A kitchenware vendor at the Volksfest in his hometown managed to find a little shoe cookie cutter in his collection of small useful objects. We delivered the shoe, a little high heeled number upon our return, and have since found out that it was put to use – for making holiday cookies! Obviously, it was a very multi-functional gift filled with lots of creative potential. I wonder if it may eventually hang out with its footwear friends.